Vacuum Sander Having a Porous Pad

ABSTRACT

A sander with a face plate, a porous abrasive pad coupled with the face plate for sanding a surface, and a vacuum coupled with at least a portion of the pad. The pad has a thickness or storage capacity sufficient to temporarily retain at least a portion of particles removed from the surface. The vacuum is configured to suck at least a portion of the particles removed from the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to sanding mechanisms, and, is moreparticularly directed to a sander with an attached vacuum.

2. Description of Related Art

Drywall is currently the most popular material for finishing interiorwalls and ceilings. Drywall is typically sold in panels havingpredetermined dimensions. Because these dimensions do not usuallycorrespond with the dimensions of a wall to be finished, a plurality ofpanels may be necessary to finish a wall. Joint compound is typicallyapplied to the seam between two drywall panels in order to hide theseam. The joint compound is typically applied over the seam with atrowel and allowed to dry. The excess joint compound is then removed bysanding to create a smooth wall surface. Various types of sandingmaterials have been used for removing excess joint compound includingsandpaper and screens. These materials may be employed with manualdevices such as on sanding blocks or used in conjunction with automatedsanding mechanisms.

While sanding the joint compound is obviously necessary to produce asmooth wall surface, it produces a significant amount of dust. Jointcompound becomes a fine airborne dust when sanded and travels throughoutthe structure being finished. This dust is undesirable, especially forsomeone remodeling their home, because it becomes embedded in furniture,clothing and bedding, and it creates a mess in the home. Cleanup of thedust is time consuming, messy, and costly. The dust may also create orexacerbate health conditions, such as respiratory, skin and eyeconditions. Further, after sanding the excess joint compound, dustremaining on the drywall must be removed before painting.

In an effort to control the amount of dust, automated drywall vacuumsanders have been developed utilizing a sander attached to a vacuum. Onetype of vacuum sander known in the art utilizes sandpaper attached to arotating plate. A housing with a larger diameter than the platesurrounds one side of the plate such that there is a gap between theperipheral edge of the plate and the peripheral edge of the housing. Avacuum is coupled to the housing at the gap for capturing joint compoundparticles removed by the sander.

Another type of vacuum sander utilizes a sanding screen affixed to aplate having grooves. A vacuum coupled with the grooves draws removedjoint compound through the screen. Yet another type of vacuum sander hasa rotating plate with holes passing through the plate. A vacuum iscoupled with the holes. The sander is used with sandpaper that has holesaligning with the holes in the plate. The sandpaper mounts on the plateopposite the vacuum.

While all of the vacuum sanders developed to date are useful, asignificant amount of the particles removed by the sandpaper or screenare not captured by the vacuum because the particles are not aligneddirectly with the holes or gaps in the sander device and the holesconstitute a small percentage of the total sanding area. In addition,the sandpaper or screen material may damage the underlying wall bycreating swirls or other indentations in the wall. Lastly, it issometimes difficult to mount the sandpaper or screen on the plate toalign with the holes or gaps. Thus, a need remains in the art for animproved vacuum sander that captures a significant portion of theparticles removed by the sander, avoids damage to the surface beingsanded, is easy to use, and results in much less dust and consequentcleanup.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a vacuum sander comprising aporous pad coupled with a face plate and a vacuum. A vacuum is coupledwith at least a portion of the pad. The pad is moved over a surface tobe sanded to remove particles from the surface. The vacuum is configuredto suck at least a portion of the particles removed from the surface.The pad comprises a thickness sufficient to temporarily retain at leasta portion of particles removed from the surface within the pad. Thus,the sander captures the vast majority of the particles removed from thesurface sanded so as to substantially reduce dust relative toconventional vacuum sanders.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a vacuumsander comprising a porous pad removably affixed to a face plate. Thepad covers one or more openings in the face plate and a vacuum iscoupled with the opening on the opposite side of the face plate from thepad. The vacuum sucks particles removed from a surface to be sanded intothe pad and through the opening(s) in the face plate. The pad has athickness sufficient to temporarily retain at least a portion of theparticles removed from the surface before they are sucked through theopening(s) by the vacuum. The one or more openings in the face platepreferably have a surface area of at least 1%, preferably at least 10%,of the surface area of the pad overlying the openings so as to enhancethe vacuum action through the pad.

In a preferred embodiment, the pad comprises a core of entangled fiberswith pores located between the fibers. Particles removed from thesurface being sanded are temporarily retained or stored within the poresof the pad. The pad is preferably removably affixed to a face plate withhook and loop fasteners or pressure sensitive adhesive. The vacuum sucksparticles retained within the pores into a receptacle. A prime mover(e.g. motor) is coupled with the face plate for moving the face plate.In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is adapted for use in sandingexcess joint compound from drywall, but the apparatus may be used tosand other materials.

The pad of the present invention is preferably constructed of entangledfibers which do not damage the drywall being sanded. Hook and loopfasteners or pressure sensitive adhesive preferably used to affix thepad to the faceplate facilitate the quick replacement of a worn pad. Oneadvantage of the present invention is that the porous nature of the padcombined with the thickness of the pad creates storage capacity forremoved particles. The storage capacity ensures that particles areretained within the pad until they are sucked into the attached vacuum,thus substantially reducing dust. The present invention is also directedto a method of sanding utilizing a porous abrasive pad in conjunctionwith a vacuum.

Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages andnovel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learnedfrom the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of theinvention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalitiesand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a sander according to the presentinvention shown partially in cross-section;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pad of the sander of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a face plate of the sander of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of asander according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a pad of the sander of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of asander according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of an intermediate pad of the sander ofFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment according to the presentinvention is denoted generally by 10 in FIG. 1. Apparatus 10 is asanding machine having a housing 12, a motor 14, a shaft 16, a faceplate 18, an exhaust manifold 20, a vacuum 22, a receptacle 24 and aporous abrasive pad 26 removably coupled with face plate 18 for sandingmaterial from a surface.

FIG. 3 shows eight openings 28 in face plate 18. Openings 28 are influid flow communication with exhaust manifold 20, as shown in FIG. 1.Exhaust manifold 20 is coupled with vacuum 22 outside of housing 12.Vacuum 22 is coupled with receptacle 24. Vacuum 22 is adapted to suckmaterial through openings 28 and exhaust manifold 20 and deposit thematerial in receptacle 24.

Shaft 16 couples face plate 18 with motor 14 for rotating face plate 18.While FIG. 1 shows the face plate coupled to a motor with a shaft, it iswithin the scope of the invention for the face plate to be coupled toany type of prime mover for moving the face plate, or for the face plateto be operated manually. Also, the face plate movement is not limited torotary motion, the face plate may have any type of motion including, butnot limited to, orbital, longitudinal, lateral or random motion.Further, the face plate may be adapted to vibrate. It is also within thescope of the invention for a single prime mover to drive both the faceplate and the vacuum.

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 10 positioned over a surface 30, such thatpad 26 is in contact with surface 30. Particles 32 removed from surface30 are shown within openings 28 of face plate 18 and within exhaustmanifold 20. Surface 30 preferably comprises a wall with drywall jointcompound thereon, but it is within the scope of the invention for thesurface to be any material needing polishing or sanding.

FIG. 1 shows pad 26 with a bottom surface 33, a top surface 34, and aside surface 36 defined by a core of entangled fibers 38. Pores arelocated between the fibers for retaining dust or material removed fromsurface 30. Pad 26 has a thickness or storage capacity allowingparticles 32 removed from surface 30 to be stored or retained within thepores of pad 26. This thickness also provides a cushion so as tominimize damage to the surface being sanded. Preferably, the pad has athickness of between 1/16 inch to 3/4 inch, and more preferably athickness of between ⅛ inch to 3/8 inch. Preferably, the entangledfibers 38 are polyamide fibers coated with an abrasive such as aluminumoxide or silicon carbide. Preferably, a binding agent binds the abrasiveto the fibers. The binding agent may be phenol, epoxy, urethane,polyester, or any other suitable binder. Although a preferredconstruction for the porous pad is described herein, it is within thescope of the invention for the pad to be constructed from othermaterials so long as the pad is porous and abrasive in nature. Onesuitable material that may be used to construct the pad is sold underthe trademark Mirlon™ by KWH Mirka Ltd., a company headquartered inFinland.

While pad 26 is described above as constructed from entangled fiberscoated with an abrasive, the pad may have any type of construction. Forexample, the pad may be constructed from woven or knit fibers.Additionally, the pad may be constructed of fibers integrated into anon-woven structure by needle punching, through-air bonding, hydroentangling, spun-bonding, chemical bonding or mechanical processing. Thepad may be constructed of a polymeric material, or natural or syntheticfibers. A non-exhaustive list of suitable materials for the pad includepolyolefin, polyester, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, vinylidenechloride, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polycarbonate, polyacrylate,polyoxymethylene, polystyrene, ABS, polyetherester, polyamide,polycaprolactan, thermoplastic starch, polyvinyl alcohol, polylacticacid, polyphenylsulfide, polyvinylidenes, polyurethane, polyurea, cottonand rayon. The material that the pad is constructed from may beabrasive, or additionally, the pad may be coated with an abrasivematerial as described above.

Pad 26 is removably affixed to face plate 18 with hook and loopfasteners 40 and 42, as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows hook fasteners 40affixed around a peripheral edge of face plate 18. Preferably, the hookfasteners are laminated to the face plate with adhesive, but otherconnection means are within the scope of the invention. FIG. 2 shows abacking 44 affixed to pad 26 adjacent the peripheral edge of the pad.Preferably, backing 44 is adhered to pad 26 with adhesive, but otherconnection means are within the scope of the invention. Loop fasteners42 extend outward from backing 44. Preferably, loop fasteners 42 arewoven into backing 44, but it is within the scope of the invention forthe loop fasteners to be adhered to the backing or affixed to thebacking by any other connection means. It is also within the scope ofthe invention for the entangled fibers to be adapted to affix directlyto hook fasteners. Additionally, loop fasteners may be woven into theentangled fibers around a peripheral edge of one or both sides of thepad for removably affixing the pad to hook fasteners. It is also withinthe scope of the invention for the hook and loop fasteners to beswitched such that the hook fasteners are affixed to the pad and theloop fasteners are affixed to the face plate. Further, it is not anessential feature of the invention that the pad and face plate areremovably affixed by hook and loop fasteners, the pad and face platecould be affixed by corresponding pin and slot structures, brackets,adhesive, pressure sensitive adhesive, or any other connection meansknown in the art.

Pad 26 is affixed to face plate 18 over openings 28, as shown in FIG. 1.This allows material removed from surface 30 to be sucked into porouspad 26 by vacuum 22. Backing 44 has an opening 46 which is sized suchthat the opening 46 aligns with openings 28 on face plate 18 when hookand loop fasteners 40 and 42 are joined, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Inthis manner, particles may move freely from the pad 26 through theopenings 46 and 28. Preferably, the total surface area of backing 44 isapproximately 25 to 75% of the surface area of the total surface of pad26. In addition, the total surface area of openings 28 comprise at least1% of the surface area of opening 46 and most preferably at least 10% ofopening 46 so as to enhance the vacuum action through the entirety ofthe pad. The pad 26 of the present invention may be used with manyconventional sanders that have a face plate with at least one openingand a vacuum coupled with the opening.

As shown in FIG. 1, a control circuit 46 is positioned within housing 12for controlling the operation of the sander. Control circuit 46 receivespower 48 from a remote power source, such as an electrical cable or abattery. A rheostat 50 is in electrical communication with controlcircuit 46 for varying the speed of motor 14. An on/off switch 52 isalso in electrical communication with control circuit 46. Controlcircuit 46 provides controlled power to motor 14 in accordance with theinput signals provided by rheostat 50 and on/off switch 52. Vacuum 22may be powered by power source 48 or by some other external powersource.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of sander accordingto the present invention is indicated generally as 100. Sander 100comprises a housing 102, a shaft 104 extending through an opening 106 inthe housing, a face plate 108 joined with the shaft, an intermediate pad110 coupled to the shaft, a porous pad 112 affixed to the intermediatepad, and a vacuum (not shown) coupled with an opening 114 in the housingvia a hose 116. Housing 102 has a bottom surface 130 with a recess 132formed into the bottom surface to receive face plate 108 andintermediate pad 110. An inner wall 134 extends upward from bottomsurface 130 and surrounds recess 132. Inner wall 134 has a diameter thatis slightly larger than the diameter of either the face plate 108 or theintermediate pad 110, thus forming a gap between the inner wall 134 andthe peripheral edges of the face plate and intermediate pad. This gap isin fluid communication with second opening 114 and the vacuum joinedtherewith by hose 116.

A retainer 118 extends outward from shaft 104 for joining face plate 108with the shaft. Face plate 108 has an opening 120 for receiving shaft104. A slot in retainer 118 receives a portion of face plate 108surrounding opening 120. The structure joining face plate 108 to shaft104 is not essential to the invention and thus it is within the scope ofthe invention for the face plate to be joined with the shaft by anymeans known in the art.

Intermediate pad 110 has an inner opening 122 for receiving shaft 104. Anut 124 has threads that engage with threads on shaft 104. A washer 126positioned between the nut 124 and pad 110 engages a portion of pad 110surrounding opening 122 and presses the pad against face plate 108 whenthe nut is tightened on the shaft. Face plate 108 also preferablycomprises an abrasive surface that engages the top surface ofintermediate pad 110 for coupling the pad with the face plate and shaft.It is within the scope of the invention for the intermediate pad to becoupled with the face plate and shaft by any suitable method known inthe art including hook and loop fasteners and pressure sensitiveadhesive. The intermediate pad is preferably constructed from acompressible and resilient polymeric material, although it is within thescope of the invention to construct the intermediate pad from anymaterial.

Intermediate pad 110 and porous pad 112 are preferably joined withadhesive, although it is within the scope of the invention for the padsto be joined by any means known in the art including hook and loopfasteners. The pads 110 and 112 may be joined using any of the methodsdescribed above to join face plate 18 and pad 26, shown in FIG. 1.Porous pad 112 extends below bottom surface 130 of housing 102 and isconstructed from a material capable of sanding a surface. The porous pad112 is preferably constructed from any of the materials described abovefor pad 26, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The porous pad 112 also preferablyhas a thickness that is sufficient to temporarily retain at least aportion of particles removed from a surface sanded by the pad, asdescribed above in connection with sander 10 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, intermediate pad 110 has six wedge shaped openings128 a-f spaced around a peripheral edge of the pad such that theperipheral edge is discontinuous. As shown in FIG. 4, the face plate 108and intermediate pad 110 are received by recess 132 in housing 102, andthere is a gap between inner wall 134 and the peripheral edges of theface plate and intermediate pad. The vacuum coupled with hose 116 sucksat least a portion of particles removed from a surface being sandedeither through or around pad 112. Particles sucked through porous pad112 pass through one of the openings 128 a-f in intermediate pad 110,through the gap between inner wall 134 and face plate 108, and thenthrough opening 114. Particles passing around pad 112 are sucked throughthe gap between inner wall 134 and face plate 108 and then throughopening 114.

Housing 102 is preferably pivotally joined to one end of an elongatetube (not shown), and a motor (not shown) for rotating shaft 104 ispreferably joined to the other end of the tube. Sander 100 alsopreferably has a power supply, on/off switch and speed control asdescribed above for sander 10 shown in FIG. 1. The motor and shaft ofsander 100 preferably rotate face plate 108 and pad 112, however it iswithin the scope of the invention for the face plate and pad to move inany of the manners described above for face plate 18 and pad 26, shownin FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of sander accordingto the present invention is indicated generally as 200. Sander 200 issubstantially similar to sander 100, shown in FIG. 4, except that thereis no opening in the center of porous pad 202, and porous pad 202 isremovably affixed to intermediate pad 204 with hook and loop fasteners206 and 208. Hook fasteners 206 joined to the bottom of intermediate pad204, shown in FIG. 7, engage with loop fasteners 208 joined to the topof porous pad 202. It is within the scope of the invention for the hookand loop fasteners to be interchanged, for the porous pad 202 to bejoined with the intermediate pad 204 with pressure sensitive adhesive,or for the pads to be joined using any of the other methods describedabove in connection with sanders 10 and 100.

In use, pad 26 of sander 10, shown in FIGS. 1-3, is positioned over faceplate 18 and loop material 42 is engaged with hook material 40. Thus,entangled fibers 38 of pad 26 cover the openings 28 in face plate 18.The sander is connected to a power source 48 and the on/off switch 52 isswitched to the on position. Vacuum 22 is also turned on via aconnection with power source 48 or another external power source. Thedesired speed of motor 14 is adjusted with rheostat 50. Motor 14 rotatesshaft 16, face plate 18 and pad 26. Rotating pad 26 is positionedagainst a surface 30 to be sanded. The abrasive material on pad 26removes particles 32 from surface 30. Vacuum 22 sucks particles 32removed from the surface 30 into pad 26 where the particles aretemporarily stored or retained within the pad's pores. Vacuum 22 sucksthe particles 32 retained within the pores of pad 26 through theopenings 28 in face plate 18 and through exhaust manifold 20. Theparticles are finally deposited in receptacle 24.

In use, pad 110 of sander 100, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is positionedover face plate 108 such that opening 122 receives shaft 104. Then,washer 126 is positioned over pad 110 and nut 124 is screwed on shaft104 compressing pad 110 against face plate 108. The sander is thenconnected to a power source and the motor (not shown) is turned on. Themotor rotates shaft 104, face plate 108, intermediate pad 110 and porouspad 112. Rotating pad 112 is positioned against a surface to be sanded.The abrasive material on pad 112 removes particles from the surface. Thevacuum (not shown) coupled to hose 116 sucks at least a portion of theparticles removed from the surface either through or around pad 112.Particles sucked through pad 112 pass through one of openings 128 a-f inpad 110, shown in FIG. 5, through the gap between inner wall 134 andface plate 108, and through opening 114. Particles sucked around pad 112pass through the gap between inner wall 134 and face plate 108 andthrough opening 114. Pad 112 also temporarily retains at least a portionof the particles removed from the surface. These particles arepreferably sucked through pad 112 by the vacuum.

Sander 200, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, operates in the same manner assander 100 described above except that pad 202 may be detached fromintermediate pad 204 using hook and loop fasteners 206 and 208. Thisallows a user to change porous pad 202 without unscrewing the nutpressing the intermediate pad against the face plate.

The sanders described above eliminate the airborne dust created whensanding drywall joint compound because they capture virtually allremoved particles and deposit them in a receptacle. The storage capacityof the pads ensure that virtually no removed particles become airbornebefore they are sucked into the receptacle. The entangled fibers of thepads also do not damage the drywall or create undesirable swirls in thedrywall.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth,together with the other advantages which are obvious and which areinherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that allmatters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to beinterpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, variousmodifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein,except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

1. A sander comprising: a face plate; a motor coupled with said faceplate and configured to move said face plate; a porous abrasive padcoupled with said face plate for sanding joint compound applied to asurface, said pad comprising entangled fibers, wherein said padcomprises a thickness sufficient to temporarily retain at least aportion of the joint compound particles removed from the surface withinsaid pad; and a vacuum coupled with at least a portion of said pad,wherein said vacuum is configured to suck at least a portion of thejoint compound particles removed from the surface.
 2. The sander ofclaim 1, further comprising an intermediate pad positioned between andcoupled with said face plate and said porous abrasive pad.
 3. The sanderof claim 2, wherein said intermediate pad comprises openings, andwherein said vacuum is configured to suck at least a portion of thejoint compound particles removed from the surface through said openings.4. The sander of claim 3, wherein said intermediate pad comprises aperipheral edge and said openings extend to said peripheral edge suchthat said peripheral edge is discontinuous.
 5. The sander of claim 2,wherein said intermediate pad and said porous abrasive pad are joined bya pressure sensitive adhesive.
 6. The sander of claim 2, wherein saidintermediate pad and said porous abrasive pad are joined by hook andloop fasteners.
 7. The sander of claim 2, further comprising: a housingcomprising a first opening; and a shaft extending through said firstopening, wherein said shaft couples said motor to said face plate andsaid intermediate pad.
 8. The sander of claim 7, wherein said housingcomprises a second opening coupled with said vacuum.
 9. The sander ofclaim 8, wherein said housing further comprises a recess that receivessaid face plate and an inner wall surrounding said recess, wherein thereis a gap between said inner wall and a peripheral edge of said faceplate, and wherein said vacuum is configured to suck at least a portionof the joint compound particles removed from the surface through saidgap and said second opening.
 10. The sander of claim 1, wherein saidface plate comprises at least one opening, wherein said porous abrasivepad is removably affixed to said face plate over at least a portion ofsaid opening for sanding joint compound applied to a surface, whereinsaid vacuum is coupled with said opening opposite said pad, and whereinsaid vacuum is configured to suck at least a portion of the jointcompound particles removed from the surface into said pad and throughsaid opening.
 11. The sander of claim 10, wherein said pad is affixed tosaid face plate with hook and loop fasteners.
 12. The sander of claim10, wherein said pad is affixed to said face plate with pressuresensitive adhesive.
 13. The sander of claim 10, further comprising abacking affixed to said pad adjacent a peripheral edge of said pad,wherein said backing is removably affixed to said face plate and saidbacking comprises an opening aligned with said opening in said faceplate.
 14. The sander of claim 13, wherein the surface area of saidbacking is approximately 25 to 75% of the surface area of said pad. 15.The sander of claim 1, wherein said porous abrasive pad comprises a topsurface, a bottom surface and a side surface defined by a core ofentangled fibers, wherein said pad comprises pores located between saidfibers within said core, and wherein said pores are configured totemporarily retain the joint compound particles removed from thesurface.
 16. The sander of claim 15, further comprising a receptaclecoupled with said vacuum, and wherein said vacuum is configured to suckat least a portion of the joint compound particles retained within saidpores of said pad into said receptacle.
 17. The sander of claim 1,wherein said entangled fibers comprise nonwoven polyamide fibers coatedwith an abrasive material selected from the group consisting of aluminumoxide and silicon carbide.
 18. The sander of claim 17, wherein a bindingagent binds said abrasive to said nonwoven polyamide fibers, saidbinding agent selected from the group consisting of phenol, epoxy,urethane, and polyester.
 19. (canceled)
 20. A method for sandingcomprising: providing a face plate comprising at least one opening, avacuum coupled with said opening, and a motor coupled with said faceplate and configured to move said face plate; affixing a porous abrasivepad to said face plate over at least a portion of said opening oppositesaid vacuum such that the surface area of the opening underlying the padis at least 1% of the surface area of the pad overlying the opening,said pad having a thickness of at least 1/16 inch and comprisingentangled fibers; positioning said pad against joint compound applied toa surface; turning on said motor to move said face plate such that saidpad sands said joint compound and at least a portion of joint compoundparticles removed from said surface are temporarily stored within saidpad; and activating said vacuum such that said vacuum sucks at least aportion of the joint compound particles removed from said surface intosaid pad and through said opening.
 21. The method of claim 20, whereinsaid pad comprises a core of entangled fibers with pores located betweensaid fibers, and wherein at least a portion of the joint compoundparticles removed from the surface are temporarily stored within thepores of said pad.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprisingproviding a receptacle coupled with said vacuum, and wherein said vacuumsucks at least a portion of the joint compound particles removed fromthe surface through said opening and into said receptacle.
 23. Themethod of claim 20, wherein said entangled fibers comprise nonwovenpolyamide fibers coated with an abrasive material selected from thegroup consisting of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide.
 24. The methodof claim 20, wherein said pad is affixed to said face plate with hookand loop fasteners.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein said pad isaffixed to said face plate with adhesive.
 26. A sander for sanding jointcompound applied to a surface, said sander comprising: a face plate; amotor coupled with said face plate and configured to move said faceplate; a pad affixed to said face plate for sanding the joint compound,wherein said pad has a thickness of at least 1/16 inch and comprisesentangled fibers; a vacuum coupled with said pad, wherein said vacuum isconfigured to suck at least a portion of joint compound particlesremoved from the surface; and a receptacle coupled with said vacuum andconfigured to receive the joint compound particles sucked by saidvacuum.
 27. The sander of claim 26, wherein said pad comprises a core ofabrasive entangled fibers for sanding the joint compound, wherein poresare located between said fibers, and wherein said pores are configuredto temporarily store at least a portion of the joint compound particlesremoved from the surface.
 28. The sander of claim 27, wherein said padis removably affixed to said face plate with hook and loop fasteners.29. The sander of claim 26, wherein said face plate comprises anopening, wherein said pad is affixed to said face plate over at least aportion of said opening, wherein said vacuum is coupled with saidopening opposite said pad, and wherein said vacuum is configured to suckat least a portion of the joint compound particles removed from thesurface through said pad and said opening.